From a statement issued from the Ministry of Economy and Finance:

In order to update the laws and decrees that govern the matter of Customs in Panama, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the National Customs Authority (ANA), has started a period consultation in order to find out the position of the unions on the proposed Cabinet Decree which contains dictates complementary to the Uniform Customs Code and Regulations, and which was announced by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Eyda Varela Chinchilla.

Varela de Chinchilla said the proposal seeks to establish new guidelines for modernizing the customs system and represents the first step in the department towards promoting transparent, consistent and efficient regulations for our customs offices, in accordance with international agreements.

More on this topic

Panama: Unification of Customs Rules

October 2016

The decree that integrates into a single document all national regulations and the Uniform Central American Customs Code has come into force.

The current customs legislation has been unified into a single document and changes made to processes in order to establish deposits of made to order merchandise and tax refunds, among other things.

Panama: Central American Customs Union In 6 months

April 2016

The current customs legislation has been unified into a single document and changes will be implemented in processes to establish deposits made to order merchandise and refunding taxes, among other things.

Approval of the decree that integrates into a single document all national regulations and the Central American Uniform Customs Code (Cauca) is one of the steps that was needed for full integration of Panama into the Central American Customs Union. It is expected that accession to the bloc will occur within six months.

Customs Union in the Northern Triangle

October 2015

It has been announced that El Salvador will join the process being undertaken by Honduras and Guatemala to integrate customs posts between the three countries.

From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Guatemala:

Guatemala, October 22, 2015. After a meeting between the Ministers of the Northern Triangle, it was confirmed that El Salvador will join the Customs Union efforts which have been initiated by Guatemala and Honduras.

El Salvador - Costa Rica: Customs Requirement Eliminated

February 2015

A requirement has been eliminated which previously obliged companies exporting goods to submit records which indicated the customs procedure under which the company operates.

From a bulletin by the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica:

The Ministry of Foreign Trade announced that it has been agreed with the authorities of El Salvador that in bilateral trade the requirement to submit records which indicate the customs procedure under which the exporter of the goods operates has been eliminated. The elimination of the requirement will be effective for both parties from February 16 this year.